she needed us both.”
Oliver stepped into his space, matching the intensity on Lucas’s face with a look of his own. “Remember that, and don’t think you can fuck with me again.” He stabbed his finger into Lucas’s shoulder.
Lucas chest butted him. “Back at you, buddy . I’m willing to follow your lead, but you will not dominate me in any way, shape, or form. That right belongs exclusively to Merideth.”
Oliver’s respect for the other man raised a notch. “Now that we’re both on the same page once more…” He stepped away. “Enjoy your hike.”
He walked off without another word, expecting to be obeyed yet hoping Lucas would do or say something, anything, that would give Oliver a valid excuse to kick them both out. The slap of Lucas’s flip-flops heading in the other direction dug under his skin. He slung the back door open, paused to draw in a deep breath, then stepped inside and closed it more gently. They resurrected too many emotions, too many memories, too much hurt. And way too much guilt. Because he had helped anchor them to New York and had regretted every second. A real Dom would have gone after them. He was a fraud, and the last thing he wanted was to reveal his true face to his community.
His gaze wandered up the staircase. There was the excuse he needed to make them leave. Merideth would still be in bed, still looking as bedraggled as she had the night before. Yes, it was early, but as Lucas pointed out, the three-hour time difference should have had her up by now. Oliver wouldn’t put up with it. She wanted to heal yet didn’t seem willing to do anything for herself. He’d rouse her, give her a hard time. She’d balk, of course. Merideth never liked being told what to do. That would be the perfect reason to get them out. Then his life would be in order, control coursing through his blood, and not this feeling crawling inside him, demanding to be unleashed.
He took the stairs two at a time, cock leading the whole way. Oliver refused to let it win. He was in control, not it. He could fuck anyone at any time. He didn’t need Merideth’s hot, tight pussy.
Oliver jerked to a stop on the landing, closed his eyes, and flexed his fists. Forcing a facade of indifference was nearly impossible. He pulled up reserves he hadn’t needed since… Well, since the day they’d walked out. God, how many things had he smashed against the wall that day in a fit a rage? Almost everything within reach. Thank goodness he wasn’t that man anymore. Thank goodness there wasn’t anything within hand’s reach.
Oliver ordered the tension away. His muscles didn’t listen, nor did the erection pounding down his shorts leg. It’ll be better when they’re gone . And they were going to be gone within the hour. They couldn’t stay. He couldn’t bear it.
Shoulders back, game face on, he walked on to his room. He flicked on the overhead lights when he crossed the threshold, expecting the glare to yank her awake. But the big bed was empty and made. A pile of sheets lay on the floor at the foot. There was no sign of Merideth or her luggage.
Oliver fought panic that she’d taken off. Common sense filtered through. She couldn’t have left without Lucas, and Lucas was off on a hike. His luggage was still inside the door. Relief led to confusion. Confusion to anger. He’d told her they were to stay in his room. She’d disobeyed. It was the excuse he needed…if he could find her. And he would.
An abrupt about-face spurred him out the door. His methodical room-by-room search ended in the bedroom across the hall. Light poured in through the open drapes, highlighting the yellow-and-white decor. Merideth’s suitcase lay open on the queen-size canopy bed. Oliver heard the shower running. Calling his name.
Slow steps brought him toward the bathroom. He pushed the unlatched door open with one finger. Merideth was outlined to perfection behind the opaque shower door. She was seated, bending forward.
Shaving her
Oliver stepped into his space, matching the intensity on Lucas’s face with a look of his own. “Remember that, and don’t think you can fuck with me again.” He stabbed his finger into Lucas’s shoulder.
Lucas chest butted him. “Back at you, buddy . I’m willing to follow your lead, but you will not dominate me in any way, shape, or form. That right belongs exclusively to Merideth.”
Oliver’s respect for the other man raised a notch. “Now that we’re both on the same page once more…” He stepped away. “Enjoy your hike.”
He walked off without another word, expecting to be obeyed yet hoping Lucas would do or say something, anything, that would give Oliver a valid excuse to kick them both out. The slap of Lucas’s flip-flops heading in the other direction dug under his skin. He slung the back door open, paused to draw in a deep breath, then stepped inside and closed it more gently. They resurrected too many emotions, too many memories, too much hurt. And way too much guilt. Because he had helped anchor them to New York and had regretted every second. A real Dom would have gone after them. He was a fraud, and the last thing he wanted was to reveal his true face to his community.
His gaze wandered up the staircase. There was the excuse he needed to make them leave. Merideth would still be in bed, still looking as bedraggled as she had the night before. Yes, it was early, but as Lucas pointed out, the three-hour time difference should have had her up by now. Oliver wouldn’t put up with it. She wanted to heal yet didn’t seem willing to do anything for herself. He’d rouse her, give her a hard time. She’d balk, of course. Merideth never liked being told what to do. That would be the perfect reason to get them out. Then his life would be in order, control coursing through his blood, and not this feeling crawling inside him, demanding to be unleashed.
He took the stairs two at a time, cock leading the whole way. Oliver refused to let it win. He was in control, not it. He could fuck anyone at any time. He didn’t need Merideth’s hot, tight pussy.
Oliver jerked to a stop on the landing, closed his eyes, and flexed his fists. Forcing a facade of indifference was nearly impossible. He pulled up reserves he hadn’t needed since… Well, since the day they’d walked out. God, how many things had he smashed against the wall that day in a fit a rage? Almost everything within reach. Thank goodness he wasn’t that man anymore. Thank goodness there wasn’t anything within hand’s reach.
Oliver ordered the tension away. His muscles didn’t listen, nor did the erection pounding down his shorts leg. It’ll be better when they’re gone . And they were going to be gone within the hour. They couldn’t stay. He couldn’t bear it.
Shoulders back, game face on, he walked on to his room. He flicked on the overhead lights when he crossed the threshold, expecting the glare to yank her awake. But the big bed was empty and made. A pile of sheets lay on the floor at the foot. There was no sign of Merideth or her luggage.
Oliver fought panic that she’d taken off. Common sense filtered through. She couldn’t have left without Lucas, and Lucas was off on a hike. His luggage was still inside the door. Relief led to confusion. Confusion to anger. He’d told her they were to stay in his room. She’d disobeyed. It was the excuse he needed…if he could find her. And he would.
An abrupt about-face spurred him out the door. His methodical room-by-room search ended in the bedroom across the hall. Light poured in through the open drapes, highlighting the yellow-and-white decor. Merideth’s suitcase lay open on the queen-size canopy bed. Oliver heard the shower running. Calling his name.
Slow steps brought him toward the bathroom. He pushed the unlatched door open with one finger. Merideth was outlined to perfection behind the opaque shower door. She was seated, bending forward.
Shaving her
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